What should you take into account when registering tuned vehicles? Not only the legal regulations are important here, but also contractual regulations with the vehicle insurance company. Here you can find out more about the approval of add-on parts and technical components as well as the procedure for registration and insurance.
When does the operating permit expire?
Every car has one general operating permit (ABE). With this permission it is allowed to take part in the traffic. It is usually issued by the manufacturer. According to § 19 StVZO, this operating license expires for your vehicle if you have made changes to the previously approved vehicle type. Appropriate measures must then be approved by a test organization before you can use or allow your car.
Acceptance of attachments
If you install car parts that require a separate inspection, the changes must be approved by a technical testing service. This means that the TÜV or Dekra, for example, has to prepare a report on the roadworthiness of the tuned car. If you would like to register your tuning car, this approval of the change is required beforehand, depending on the type of change. The technical descriptions of the car and the regulations that are relevant to vehicle registration are entered into the report from the testing service. With the report prepared and these Vehicle registration documents Then simply go to your registration office and register the car.
Parts without loss of operating license
In the course of this, the changes are then entered into the vehicle registration document. Proof of the operating license issued must be carried in the vehicle. There are exceptions where the operating license is not immediately lost. These are vehicle parts that are generally permitted by law for tuning. To do this, the parts must meet one of the following requirements:
- Parts have their own operating license (there may be a restriction to certain ones
Vehicle types to be checked) - Existence of a type approval
- General operating permit of the vehicle part is available
- Approval by an inspection service
- Parts have an EEC type-approval, an EEC component type-approval or an EC type-approval
More specific conditions can also be found in Section 19 (3) StVZO.
Which vehicle parts require an officially approved design?
When tuning, it is also important that you only use officially approved designs for certain vehicle parts. You can find an extensive list under Section 22a of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations. These components may only be offered, sold or used in Germany if they are marked with an officially prescribed and assigned test mark. The reason for this is that this regulation is intended to ensure road safety.
Notification obligation to the motor insurance
Does the car insurance company have to be informed about adjustments to the vehicle? According to Section 23 of the Insurance Contract Act, policyholders are not allowed to increase the risk without the consent of the insurance company. Normally, there is already an increase in risk if, for example, the engine power increases or the driving dynamics become sportier. If there is no notification, the insurer may reduce the benefit in the event of damage depending on the severity of the fault.
Unless the tuning was not the cause of the accident or the policyholder can prove that he was not grossly negligent. In the event of an intentional breach of duty as part of the increased risk, the car insurance may even be completely free of cover if the modifications were not reported on time. It is therefore generally recommended to notify the insurer before registering. Even if this can increase the insurance premium. This means you avoid possible problems in the event of damage and you also know exactly what costs you can expect.
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Maria Holler
Maria Holler - Maria has been contributing her expertise in the area of "Laws & Legal" to tuningblog.eu since 2014. As a lawyer with a passion for the automotive world, she combines her specialist knowledge with her interest in tuning and vehicle adaptations. She ensures that readers are always informed about the latest legal framework. In her free time, she is intensively involved with legal regulations in road traffic, which makes her an indispensable resource for the tuning community.
